Morgan's Musings
Just my rambling, plus whatever book I've recently read!
A lost princess. A mermaid looking to prove herself. A dragon with peculiar tastes. The start of an adventure. Crown Princess Moira of the air country of Aurora is known as the unwilling princess, the one who doesn’t want to rule. A chaotic dinner with foreign dignitaries turns into a furious fight with her mother, and the night ends in catastrophe. When Moira loses her wings and nearly drowns in the stormy ocean, a woman who should be her enemy rescues her. Water woman Nerida has never been to the surface and isn’t looking for adventure—but she is trying to prove to herself that she’s more than the people around her believe. Add in a lonely dragon, and Moira has some strange traveling companions to help her as she searches for a way to get her wings back and return in time to claim her place in the world she thought she wanted to escape. Will she find a way? Or will she get not only herself, but her friends as well, killed? THE LOST WINGS is the first book in The Elemental Saga and we are in a world where those of myth and legend exist, with the same problems as most of us have faced! Moira is the heir to the throne and hates being constantly compared to her younger sister. She has duties she likes to avoid if possible, preferring to ride her winged horse. When she has an argument with her mother, she flies away, straight into a storm. The next thing she knows is she is on the earth with no way of getting back home. Oh, what a story! I thoroughly enjoyed this and the pages almost turned themselves. Although set in a fantasy world, the issues Moira faces are common everywhere, which makes it entirely relatable. She makes some choices that had me scratching my head, but she is only 16 (nearly 17). I loved the friendships she made with Pyrros and Nerida. Everyone is prickly to start with, which is not surprising considering what they know about each other. Full of action, adventure, and the consquences of choices, this was a brilliant book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I can't wait to find out more from these characters. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by me! Meet Camilla Vavruch, a multitasking marvel and dragon-lover extraordinaire! By day, she’s a doctor at a healthcare center, healing bodies and saving lives. By night (and early morning and lunch breaks), she unleashes her wild imagination as a writer of fantasy novels filled with magic and, of course, dragons of all shapes and sizes. When she’s not slaying dragons on the page, Camilla is also a mom of three (who somehow still finds time to sleep), a web and graphic designer, and a lover of all things creative – from writing to drawing and photography. It’s a wonder she has any time left to breathe, but Camilla wouldn’t have it any other way. Join her on her wild and fantastical journey through life!
0 Comments
In the realm of Holmfirth, far from Melthkior, Princess Tesni finds herself ensnared in a curse that compels her to dance tirelessly through the night. She must navigate a delicate balance between her royal responsibilities and the ceaseless rhythm of her relentless dance. Tesni yearns to be perceived as more than a coveted reward to be claimed for breaking the enchantment. Summoned by Tesni’s father, Prince Brenin finds himself irresistibly drawn to Tesni’s captivating personality and quiet strength, by the genuine beauty that emanates from her. In the velvety embrace of deepest night, Brenin becomes Tesni’s silent guardian, accompanying her to the realm of the Otherworld. There, he answers riddles posed by the mysterious Taliesin. Will Brenin uncover the secrets that tether Tesni to her unending dance, winning not only her freedom but also her heart? Will the silent whispers of their burgeoning affection be allowed to grow? Or will Tesni remain forever entwined in the dance of the Otherworld that holds her captive? Slippers and Songs is a Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale retelling and the first book in the Brodyr Alarch series, where Brothers Grimm stories entwine with the fascinating mythology of the Welsh Gods. I can't believe it's finally out in the world! So far, the feedback has been great. And don't forget, you can get it for FREE in return for a review if you click the link for BookSirens. I also had some fun this week and, by request, made a recipe page for the Brodyr Alarch. All of the recipes were found online - although some have already disappeared, so I had to find substitutes! Which one would you like to try the most? And if you do for real, let me know what you think! You can find Slippers and Songs at the following: Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/200681601-slippers-and-songs BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/slippers-and-songs-by-morgan-sheppard Smashbomb: https://smashbomb.com/s/slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-1 Universal Purchase: https://books2read.com/SlippersandSongs Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CSPQTCJ6 Apple: https://books.apple.com/de/book/slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-1/id6477316319 B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/slippers-and-songs-morgan-sheppard/1144779682 Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-1 Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1514775 Eden: https://edenbookstore.com/product/pre-order-slippers-and-songs-brodyr-alarch-11/ If you could spare a moment, I'd greatly appreciate your review. Even just a few words can make a significant difference for authors.💙 Have a great weekend and I'll catch you later. Have fun! An avian tournament. A chaotic prince. An unwanted engagement. Assassins out for blood. Crown Prince Orson of Mannerobes is a turbulent young man, desperately trying to live up to his father’s impossible expectations. Engaged to Lady Liadan, a woman he does not love, and longing for freedom, Orson’s life takes a darker turn when the Avian Tournament, where birds and their handlers challenge each other in a variety of contests, begins. When Orson’s friend and fellow noble, Overster Tristan Arrington, is poisoned as they greet guests, they discover a sinister assassination plot. As the tournament progresses, Orson’s relationship with Lady Liadan’s deteriorates, while a new and intriguing bond forms with Sir Rorik Ironhold of Chim, a gemstone connoisseur whose true intentions are unclear. As if juggling the tournament, an unraveling betrothal, and his father’s ire isn’t enough, it does not take long before a second assassination attempt makes everyone question who the real target is. Prince Orson is a character we have met in Tristan and Will's books, but this is the first time he has taken the spotlight - so to speak. In his story, told from his perspective, we find out more about how life is for him as the Crown Prince, and just why he treasures the friendship with Will and Tristan. We also see his behaviours and how it has made things difficult with his father. It was brilliant reading about him and understanding what his father did not. Orson is ably supported by family members, Will, Tristan, and a new character here for the tournament - Sir Rorik Ironhold. Not only that, but the Avian Tournament certainly deserves a mention all of its own. The imagery given here was outstanding, along with the descriptions of the birds themselves. Well paced, intriguing, mysterious, and completely un-put-downable, this is an amazing addition to the series. I highly recommend it, but would suggest you start at the beginning with Stone of Shadows. Simply brilliant! 💙 Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others.Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others. BOY OF SHADOWS overlaps with Stone of Shadows, but this time we hear from Tristan. What a story he has to tell! I loved the overlap! Seeing it through Tristan's eyes made it much more real, especially when you get an inside view of just what Tristan went through. My heart broke for him when he realised how many people had known what was going on and no one had acted on his behalf. The relationship between Will and Tristan continues to grow, already being exactly what Tristan needs. The caring and compassionate nature of Will means he does everything he can to help. Their relationship doesn't feel out of balance in any way, because I know Tristan would do anything to help Will. I loved the new characters--especially Orson and Liam. I'm hoping to see more of them in the future. The pacing was perfect and it was an absolute page-turner. I'm so happy the author returned to this world. An outstanding book that I read in one sitting, as it was just too good to put down. ** same worded review will appear elsewhere ** * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. * Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others.Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others. Eve Darrow seeks to take the throne in a kingdom where women aren’t permitted to rule. QUEEN OF EARTH & STONE is the first book in the Crescent Queens series, and I honestly can't wait to read more! The prologue gives a nice introduction to the world, and the rest of it is explained as the story continues. Eve is our FMC and she is determined not to marry. This doesn't go down well with the council of advisers who seem determined to run the show. I loved the scene where she tells them of her intentions. Plus that one sentence that is just a mic-drop! - "I believe No is a full sentence." LOVED that!! Callan is our MMC and he is the mystery with secrets. He has been called to help protect her when her life is threatened. This is a fast-paced story, faster in some places than others, which can lead to it feeling slightly jerky in places. Part of that, for me, was the relationship between Callan and Eve. There was no build-up, or getting to know each other. Callan has seen her before - BOOM! Eve thinks he looks nice - BOOM! And then there's the whole yes/no that goes back and forth. I would have preferred to see them get to know each other a bit more. Yes, it could be cliché, the bodyguard and the princess, but at least there would have been something other than insta-love. On the whole, I thought this was a great read that has kept my interest and made me look forward to continuing the story. If that is how it has left me, I'd say that it's a success! Definitely recommended by me. ** same worded review will appear elsewhere ** * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. * I am an avid reader and writer of fantasy romance, a collector of too many pens, a part-time coffee enthusiast, and full-time mom.
Writing has been my passion since childhood and has always been an outlet for me creatively. I live in western North Carolina where I was born and raised. Queen of Earth and Stone is my debut novel, and passion project that rekindled my dream to be a full-time author. STONE OF SHADOWS is a standalone novella that I am really hoping will become a prequel novella to a series. This world is fascinating and I was drawn into it from the very beginning. Will is a 'street rat,' living on the breadline and doing what he can to support his family. Tristan is the Overster's son and heir, living a life of luxury as far as Will can see. That all changes the day a dragon comes to town and tries to snatch Tristan. Will saves him and is taken instead. His adventure leads him back home with a prize, and he learns that life is not as simple as he thought. Originally, I gave this story 4 stars as I wanted more! Told from Will's perspective, I wanted to hear Tristan's side of things. I wanted more about the world they live in. I wanted more about Will's family. I wanted more about that mysterious stone and its powers. I just wanted... more! However, that didn't seem fair as I am supposed to be reviewing what I've read, not what I want. So, for that, I can only give 5 stars, but I really do hope the author returns to this world so I can at least catch up with how Will and Tristan are getting on. 😁 A great novella that I absolutely recommend! And take a look at that beautiful cover! This is an author I want to read more of. 💙 ** same worded review will appear elsewhere ** * A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. * Camilla Vavruch has enjoyed writing since she was a child, and her first longer story was an eight-page short story about two children who ended up on a desert island. Despite the small number of pages, a lot happened to those children. Since then, she has written a lot. Several novels reside in her drawers, while her fanfic in fandoms such as Harry Potter, NCIS and House, became widespread and gained a lot of popularity. While she studied medicine, she also wrote and illustrated medical notes, ones that still circulate among and help the students. Today, Camilla works as a doctor at a health care center in Linköping, Sweden, but still spends what little free time she has on writing – on her blog Cosmonomics (Swedish), on her novels, or on books to help others. #BookoftheMonth - After the Summerland (The Witches of Spring Hill, #1) by Patricia A. Proctor28/11/2022 Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy Blurb: Teen triplets are shocked to discover they are the reincarnation of three witches living on sacred land. The land magnifies their abilities, making them more powerful witches – and targets. They aren’t the only ones aware of the power the land gives . . . Chloe, Kaiden, and Rowan Alexander can’t wait to meet the new triplets that have just arrived in town. They are determined to find out if they are anything alike. The attraction is instant, though they soon discover they share more than just being fraternal triplets – in fact, Brianna, Cian, and Xavier Silvan are also witches with a secret of their own. They must overcome their distrust of each other and join together to fight a much stronger witch, who wants the sacred land for more than the power it gives. It’s a paranormal coming of age story where the teens discover the purpose of their existence, explore their new powers, new relationships, and overcome family secrets, all while becoming stronger witches. They must learn quickly so they can protect themselves and the people they love from the force of dark magic bearing down on them. My Thoughts: AFTER THE SUMMERLAND is the first book in The Witches of Spring Hill series and we start off in the past. That gives us a little history before we come back to the present, with the triplets now sixteen, and new witches moving into town. This was an enjoyable story with mystery and mayhem aplenty. The big bad was there causing trouble and without any hook to make you feel sorry for them. That went to Xavier as he tried to protect his siblings and figure out just what was right. If I had one complaint, it would be when they talked about their powers. I like it when it's spelled out for me, so I don't have to guess what those powers are. For Kaiden just to tell me his are coming in didn't really help. I went back a few pages just to make sure I hadn't missed anything, only to find out a couple of pages later just what those powers were. And why was it "Rowan, of all people," at the end? I enjoyed watching the teens grow during this book although I personally think they had it a touch too easy. If only coming into power was that easy and straightforward for everyone. All in all, an easy Young Adult story that wraps up nicely. I've always loved the written word, and in my heart, I knew I wanted to spend my life surrounded by books. My first series, The Witches of Spring Hill was born from a vivid dream that came to life in unimaginable ways.
My intention as a writer is to evoke in my readers that same gratification and pleasure that I have after reading an amazing book. By the end of my books, I hope that readers feel that same connection to my characters as I did when I wrote them to life. Genres: Historical, Fantasy, Literary Fiction Blurb: France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name. My Thoughts: This book was recommended to me by a very good friend, so thank you, Julia! Starting off in historical France, we meet Adeline LaRue, or Addie as she prefers to be known. Trapped in the times and the restraints of being a woman, Addie hopes to become an old spinster, or live out in the woods the same as her friend, Estelle, who tells her of the Old Ways. One warning she gives to Addie is to never pray to the Gods after dark, as the ones who answer will not be the ones you want. When she is forced to marry, she makes a desperate plea, not realising the sun has gone down. Her plea is answered but the cost is high. We stay with Addie as she learns to be a corporeal ghost, disappearing from people's memories the minute she is out of sight. The only constants in her life are a leather jacket, a wooden ring, and Luc. She travels through time, unable to write her name, text on a phone, send an email, be on a photograph - you get the idea. She figures out a way to make her mark on the world in different ways. I found this story to be very intriguing and loved the hints of the way the story was going that were dropped throughout. The writing is lyrical and very descriptive, full of emotions. However, in places, the story seemed to drag. And the 'romance' between Addie and Henry was about as exciting as watching paint dry. I don't believe she was in love with him at all, rather being in love with the idea of being with someone who remembered her. Addie herself is a confusing character. I liked parts of her, but not all, so just as in real life, I guess. I imagine wandering through the years as a ghost would turn the most optimistic of people dour, but she was too conniving, too sly, at times. Machinations for no apparent reason apart from just because. A thoroughly enjoyable and intriguing story that I have no hesitation in recommending. You may have to stick with it through the slower parts though. VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, the Cassidy Blake series and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her work has received critical acclaim, translated into over two dozen languages, and optioned for television and film. First Kill – a YA vampire series based on Schwab’s short story of the same name – is currently in the works at Netflix with Emma Roberts’ Belletrist Productions producing. When she's not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.
Genres: Upper Young Adult, Fantasy Blurb: Carved from ice with blades of fire, the rigidly feminist state of Serenia breeds heroes. Unimaginably perfect, Amara the Magnificent, the legendary Ultimate Warrior is their greatest. Five years since Amara’s mysterious disappearance, her daughter, Maryan, struggles to escape her mother’s formidable shadow. Shunned by most, her only friends are oddball characters from the edge of society. The Queen sees Maryan as an asset to the nation, a pawn to play with and a pretty bauble to appease the neighbouring king, but lurking beneath the surface, an ancient terror plots to wipe out Maryan’s bloodline. Friend, lover, and more, Amara’s Daughter is a turbulent, rite of passage story tracing Maryan’s growth from naive schoolgirl to the woman destiny needs her to be. My Thoughts: AMARA'S DAUGHTER is the first in the Shudalandia series and we are introduced to this new world by tagging along with Maryan (the legend's daughter) as we learn about how things work, with friends and enemies, and everything in between. Some of the segues between scenes or people are a bit disjointed, which left me floundering until I got my bearings again. Also, some of the characters are hinted at being a major part of the story but then fizzle out, without really giving the reader any connection to them. Oh the whole, this was a great fantasy read that I would definitely say was upper young adult due to the sexual nature of some scenes. Living in Cheshire with my wife and our two dogs (Milly and Molly,) I’ve run a successful computer consultancy for many years. The business continues to thrive and I feel blessed that people pay me to solve complex problems for them.
One day, we hope to spend a portion of our year on the Greek islands, where I would love to spend most days writing, but for now, I’m content that with three adult children, I’m being presented with grandchildren at a fabulous rate. I still remember the wonderful effect when a teacher read CS Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. It was years later I discovered there were more Narnia books. Norse and Greek myths held me until I met Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings has been a favourite read for over thirty years. This was enhanced by the zany view of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld and the saga of Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. Not all my reading is classic fantasy. In recent years I’ve enjoyed Kim Harrison’s Hollows books and Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock. New writers bring the joy of reading to new readers. And it's LIVE!!!
Woohoo! My Brothers Grimm fairy-tale retelling with the old Welsh Gods is now live. I didn't realise it would be so much fun! I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it. A kingdom in mourning… Six Princes turned dark in their grief… One maiden holds hope to save them. Selene, the Swan Herder for the kingdom of Melthkior, once filled her days in the company of the Royal Family. She grew up as a companion for the Princes of the kingdom, and they enjoyed close friendships. But when the Queen died during the birth of her sixth son, everything changed. The King fell into mourning, and the Princes turned dark and cruel in their grief. Now, as a maiden, Selene must endure the brutal mockery and abuse from those she once called friends. Her only allies are her beautiful swans and those on the kitchen staff who love her. Until the mysterious Conway appears and seems determined to be a part of her life. Conway is fascinated by the girl with the silver hair and dismayed by how she is treated. He welcomes her into his heart, and Selene slowly begins to trust what she feels is real. Can Conway show her a different way of life, or will she stay stuck in a cycle of suffering? And when the Gods become involved, a curse strikes the six Princes of Melthkior. Will Selene choose to help them, or leave them to their fate? Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60580281-sealed-with-a-curse Smashbomb Link: https://smashbomb.com/s/sealed-with-a-curse Universal Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/SealedwithaCurse |
Archives
April 2024
Categories
All
|